Michigan: Notebook

Wolverines in emotional nosedive

Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

Ann Arbor -- This is what happens when things aren't going well.

It becomes difficult to find the words to describe emotions on a team that is riding a losing wave.

Michigan has lost five of its last six after dropping a 62-44 decision to No. 16 Wisconsin at Crisler Arena on Saturday.

Michigan has lost its last two games to Northwestern and Wisconsin by a combined 33 points. Their other three losses in this skid, including a 57-56 loss to Michigan State at Crisler, were by 17 total points.

Clearly, things are going the wrong direction for the Wolverines.

"It's not good right now," Michigan coach John Beilein said of his players' psyche. "They're young kids who are really struggling to find success right now. That's my job as a coach, to try and help them get there.

"What is the story of our season is trying to get rid of a tough loss and move to the next game, and we've got to do again, and I suspect we'll have to do it again until we continue to get better."

Sophomore Zack Novak, when asked about the team's level of frustration, was fairly speechless.

"I don't even know," he said, searching for words. "Just disappointed."

Seven games remain in the regular season before the Big Ten tournament, which appears to be the Wolverines' only means of reaching the NCAA Tournament. Winning the Big Ten tournament would bring an automatic invitation.

Sophomore Stu Douglass said the losing is becoming contagious.

"Yeah, it's already kind of spilling over," Douglass said. "We had confidence a little bit coming out of a tough stretch (four straight ranked opponents), Michigan State and Wisconsin.

"We still have to keep fighting like there's a possibility of an NCAA bid. Who knows what's going to happen in the Big Ten tournament?"

Manny Harris agreed.

"We just have to keep working," Harris said. "I don't worry (about confidence) because you can click at any time. It's just got to come soon, and we have to keep working."

Morris starts

Freshman point guard Darius Morris returned to the starting lineup.

Morris had started the first nine games of the season before Laval Lucas-Perry entered the lineup. Morris said he was told of the change during practice last Thursday.

"Coach said I had to be a solid point guard," Morris said after scoring eight points and registering three assists against the Badgers. "That's what the team needs, for me to be solid on offense and defense, especially on defense."

Beilein said Morris needs more time to develop at the position.

"We really felt right now, the conversion factor of Stu and Laval, that's always going to be a difficult position for Laval to play," Beilein said. "We just need a guy who can get in the lane a little bit and had a point-guard mentality.

"I thought (Morris) did a good job (Saturday). He still has a lot of areas to work on, (but we wanted to) throw him out there and let him play and see what he can do."